Altus Power has acquired five community solar projects from New Leaf Energy in Virginia, expanding distributed solar generation in the region. The 32-megawatt portfolio will operate under Appalachian Power Company's Shared Solar Program, providing customers with access to renewable energy without rooftop installations.
Community solar projects allow residential and commercial customers to subscribe to shared solar arrays rather than installing systems on their own properties. This model broadens solar access to renters, those with unsuitable roofs, and customers unable to finance individual systems. Altus Power's acquisition positions the company to develop and operate the Virginia projects through completion and long-term operation.
The partnership focuses on affordable electricity delivery through APCo's established shared solar framework. Virginia has emerged as a growing market for distributed solar development. State policy supports renewable energy expansion, and utility-sponsored programs like APCo's Shared Solar create standardized paths for project development and customer enrollment.
Appalachian Power, a major utility serving West Virginia and Virginia, established its shared solar program to meet renewable portfolio standards and customer demand for clean energy options. The program allows utilities to develop solar capacity while offering subscribers bill credits from their generation. This approach balances utility interests with customer access to renewable power.
Altus Power operates commercial-scale solar and battery storage systems across multiple states. The company specializes in behind-the-meter installations for commercial properties and distributed generation projects. The Virginia acquisition represents expansion of its portfolio beyond its primary Northeast markets.
The 32 MW portfolio contributes to Virginia's renewable energy infrastructure without requiring land-use changes in traditional utility-scale solar farms. Community solar projects typically occupy smaller footprints on commercial or previously developed sites. This allows Virginia to increase solar capacity while managing land development pressures.
The timeline for project completion and customer enrollment through APCo's program remains unspecified in the announcement. Once operational, the projects will generate